Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

Welcome back Gem.
baby goat is so cute. we just get to sit dogs

sorry about the snow for you guys, we had a nice rain free, snow free, day. Lots of sun today but may not be so lucky tomorrow.

as for winterizing coops we pulled our insulation out last summer trying to find a leak and found it full of mice leavings even though we thought we had it blocked off pretty good. did not replace it. we do have a lg covered area for winter, and keep all food and water under that. so the birds have a dry place to go and always get out in the winter.
Welcome to Mi. ......

 

[Folly's place]

I too had issues with rodents colonizing an insulated wall in my coop Bad idea! The birds are fine without it, and had a miserable time over the rodents.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Cackle is shipping chicks here this week! I'm getting the brooder ready, and will be nervous until they arrive safely. Two years ago, also during a cold spell in April, they all arrived safe and warm from the same place. They should be here Friday morning.
Updates will follow!
Mary

 

[aart]

(Except when it's a lamb)

Yes, it's a lamb, about 4 weeks old.
Set up some fence today for a temporary 'pasture',
he just free ranges all over his farm (but not here) with goats and a couple other bottle fed lambs and chickens....and re-arranged the coop shed to fit a large dog crate for at night, have another crate in the garage if it gets too cold.

Took down the coop partition today, broody kicked some butt, but scuffles were pretty short lived and no blood was drawn. Chicks were not harmed, tho got a few pecks from cock, who also kinda broke up a few fights but also charged after the broody a few times. Creep feed area has been successfully accessed.

 

[1muttsfan]

Maybe I should have said that I used the foil-sided bubble wrap type of insulation, and covered the inside with Luan, so not great bedding for varmints, and sealed off to keep them out.

 

[vintagegem]

Does anyone have a nice tempered rooster that they want to rehome? I have nevr had or wanted one before but last night before bedtime one of my girls got killed by a hawk and I am so upset, as are my other girls, they won't come out to play and are very skittish. I have covered the entire run now with wire so they are completely enclosed and will only let them out to range when I am in the yard with them, still I feel they might need a little more help in the form of a mighty feathered protector Any thoughts?

 

[1muttsfan]

A rooster will not be able to fight off an intruder, but may sacrifice himself for the hens. He also may notice trouble more quickly and give a warning. Covering your pen and monitoring roaming activity is your best bet. Spring and fall are big migration times for hawks, owls and eagles, and they are quite hungry during their travels.

 

[RaZ]

Thoughts on coop construction and rodent proofing...
Since I'm building new, I am putting hardware cloth between the joists and floor and between the walls and studs. My big problem is with the chippies. Hobbes aka Mariner should be going outside within a couple of weeks. He is now socializing with the other cats and dogs and freely roams the house. Still a bit skittish around me except when I have tuna.

Hawks are migrating here. Lots of red tails. Sand Hill cranes have returned. I'm waiting for the owls. They were so cool to see and hear last fall.

It's supposed to snow a couple of inches here. Took the snow plow off too soon.

 

[vintagegem]

A rooster will not be able to fight off an intruder, but may sacrifice himself for the hens. He also may notice trouble more quickly and give a warning. Covering your pen and monitoring roaming activity is your best bet. Spring and fall are big migration times for hawks, owls and eagles, and they are quite hungry during their travels.

I have all the run covered now, and they will only be ranging when I am in the yard, but I thought the same as you, a rooster would maybe give us all a bit of warning about predators, i Wouldnt expect him to solve all our problems, but any help would be good, I would then hopefully be able to get out before any real harm was done.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Yes, it's a lamb, about 4 weeks old.
Set up some fence today for a temporary 'pasture',
he just free ranges all over his farm (but not here) with goats and a couple other bottle fed lambs and chickens....and re-arranged the coop shed to fit a large dog crate for at night, have another crate in the garage if it gets too cold.

Took down the coop partition today, broody kicked some butt, but scuffles were pretty short lived and no blood was drawn. Chicks were not harmed, tho got a few pecks from cock, who also kinda broke up a few fights but also charged after the broody a few times. Creep feed area has been successfully accessed.

How about a pic of the creep feed area?